The UK's agri-food sector is on course for significant growth, with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' (Defra) global network of agri-food attachés unlocking a substantial £80m in new export opportunities this year. This achievement is a direct result of the attachés' efforts to dismantle trade barriers and forge new pathways for British produce abroad.
As at 31 March, the network has successfully resolved 20 trade barriers, with significant breakthroughs including the implementation of a streamlined Chinese export registration process, set to save businesses approximately £50 million annually. Moreover, the attachés have secured new market access for British poultry and eggs in the United Arab Emirates, as well as substantial wins for exporting processed animal protein to Indonesia, valued at £10 million annually. New approvals have also been granted for cookie dough exports to India and UK seafood access in Kuwait.
Farming Minister Stephen Morgan welcomed the agri-food attachés back to the UK for their annual Industry Engagement Week, which involved meetings with a diverse range of British food and farming businesses, from producers and farmers to small enterprises. Discussions centred on how the Government can further assist these businesses in capitalising on new trade agreements and the forthcoming EU-UK Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement.
The week included visits to significant locations such as the Wilkin & Sons jam factory and fruit farm in Tiptree, Essex, and the Danbury Ridge vineyard, coinciding with English Wine Week. These site visits allowed attachés to engage directly with producers and explore ways to boost exports of world-renowned British products. In addition to these site visits, the attachés held meetings with approximately 100 food and drink businesses and industry associations, covering sectors from meat and dairy to speciality food exporters.
Minister Morgan emphasised the critical role of the attachés, stating, “Our agri-attachés are Britain’s boots on the ground for food and farming trade. Embedded in key markets from the USA to East Asia, they use their local knowledge and diplomatic connections to cut through barriers that would otherwise take years to resolve.” He highlighted the “£80 million in opportunities unlocked this year alone, delivering real growth for British businesses.” Balwinder Dhoot, Director of Sustainability & Growth at the Food and Drink Federation, also praised the network, stating it provides “valuable in-market support to businesses and is a key part of our goal to reach £35bn in UK food and drink exports by 2035.”
This year's achievements build upon a strong performance in 2022, where the attachés resolved 55 export barriers with an estimated annual value of £127 million. This included securing pork access to Mexico and removing restrictions on lamb imports to Canada.